Micro Direct MicroCO

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has the potential to kill and can initially present with headache, nausea and other flu-like symptoms. Once suspected, CO poisoning is confirmed by drawing a carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) level through a painful arterial stick. TheÜMicroCO fromÜMicro Direct allows you to quickly obtain a percentage CO-Hb level from a patientÌs exhaled respiration. Operation of the MicroCO is very straightforward: Simply turn on the device in clean air and it will automatically zero out. To obtain an instant, accurate alveolar CO level, coach the patient to hold their breath for 10 seconds and then exhale fully into the single-use mouthpiece. Readings are available in ppm or percentage CO-Hb.Ü